Dec. 05--As practice ended Friday, Taj Gibson ran sprints under the watchful eye of Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg.
That's typically an activity reserved for rehabbing players, which is why Hoiberg fielded a question about whether Gibson, who underwent offseason ankle surgery, is OK.
"Yeah, he's fine," Hoiberg said. "Just trying to get his lungs built up."
Gibson could be playing more Saturday night against the Hornets as Nikola Mirotic is questionable after suffering a concussion on Wednesday. But welcome to Hoiberg's preferred pace, where conditioning is paramount and the ball is pushed upcourt whether a shot is made or missed.
"We talked a lot about making sure our pace stays consistent," Hoiberg said. "I thought when the ball went into the basket, a lot of times we got a little stagnant as far as running down the floor. We put our head down for two or three steps and then flowed into it.
"We have to get rid of that. We have to get out with pace and do a better job."
The Bulls entered Friday ranked 10th in pace at 99.95 possessions per game, but Hoiberg wants quicker decisions leading to better shots earlier in the 24-second shot clock, something that hasn't translated consistently. The Bulls rank 27th with an offensive rating of 97.4 points per 100 possessions.
All that said, the Bulls trailed only the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference standings as of Friday morning. Perhaps that's why Hoiberg, for the first time, sounded mildly bothered by persistent negative questions about the offense.
"We've been very gritty," he said. "We've made big plays down the stretch (and) we've defended every night.
"Our offense will get better. We've shown flashes."
Hoiberg wouldn't disclose who would start if Mirotic sits out as expected, although Joakim Noah took the majority of reps with the starters and played a season-high 34 minutes, 55 seconds last game.
"He's doing a good job making quick decisions," Hoiberg said of Noah. "A lot of times if he gets a swing or a rebound, he'll push it down. We're getting better running with him, going and setting a split action when Jo has the ball.
"When he gets the ball at the top and makes a quick decision, good things generally happen, whether it's the dribble handoff to Doug (McDermott) or a back cut. Obviously, Jo is a very good playmaker."
Derrick Rose, the engine behind the offense, said conditioning plays a big part in faster pacing. After missing all of training camp due to a left orbital fracture, Rose said he's working his way back and the team is as well.
"I think by 25 (or) 30 games, everybody should be in great shape," Rose said.
As players and coaches keep saying, it's better to learn and improve while winning rather than losing.
"You look at teams that went through change in the offseason, personnel or coaching, there's going to be an adjustment period," Hoiberg said. "You have to continue to work and drill the habits you believe in. These guys will get better. I know that. I promise that."
kcjohnson@tribpub.com
